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Year of the Snake Love Poem The Scrappy Herpetologist
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR THE BAY AREA AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SOCIETY
BEHIND BAARSFebruary 2013
©Xelku9 - Under CC License. Original & License.
Next Club Meeting:
General Meeting
Friday, February 22 @ 8:00pm(doors open 7:30pm)
Cubberley Community Center, Room M-2, Music Room, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
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Contents
President’sReport - 2
2013 Year ofthe Snake - 3
In the News - 4
Events &Activities - 5
Love Poem - 6
Treasurer’sReport - 7
The ScrappyHerpetologist - 8
Adoptions &Classifieds - 9
Board Members& Contacts -10
Herp of theMonth - 11
MembershipForm - 12
President’s Report
Hello BAARS Members and Supporters,
The BAARS calendar is starting to fill up, and 2013 is looking like an action
packed, exciting year for all you members! Please help get the word out by
posting BAARS events on your calendars, appropriate forums, web sites, and
anywhere else you can think of. We really need to explain what BAARS does
and get more folks involved with what we love doing. I really enjoy getting
guest speakers who are willing and able to share their experiences with herps.
First of all, for this month, February (2/22/13), BAARS will feature Roxanne
Hatfield speaking on her experiences with crested geckos and geckos in
general. She’ll also discuss best practices and practices to avoid, and bring
live geckos to the meeting (including one for the raffle)! Roxanne is on the
board of the Northern California Herpetological Society and has a website
called www.geckluv.com (I luv that name).
In March (3/22/13), we’ll be hearing from a very long-time BAARS member,
Erica Strand. Erica has given several presentations at general BAARS
meetings, but it’s been quite a few years since she’s spoken. This time, she’ll
be speaking on the evolution of sea snakes. Erica is extremely well-traveled,
has been to Madagascar several times, and studied in Australia.
In April (4/26/2013), we’ll be hosting a fellow herp enthusiast, ball python and
boa breeder Brian Gundy from “For Goodness Snakes.” For those of you who
might not know, Brian is a very successful breeder of boas and pythons. He
also owns a business that gives reptile presentations to various types of
groups, from birthday parties to corporate events. Frankly, I think I want
Brian’s job!
As the springtime weather warms up, we’ll hear from one of BAARS’ perennial
favorites, Dr. Bob Norris, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Stanford. Dr. Norris
will be speaking on venomous snake bites as well as arthropod risks (spiders,
scorpions, ticks, mosquitoes) as they relate to field collecting.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at a BAARS meeting.
Remember, bring a friend, and let’s BUILD UP BAARS!!!
Sincerely,
Scott Alexander, BAARS Interim President, 2013
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2013 Year of the Water SnakeBy Rhonda Velez
According to the Chinese Calendar, this year, 2013, is The Year of the Snake.
The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of animals appearing in the Chinese zodiac and
related to the Chinese calendar. The Snake is in the second Trine grouping of the animals. The 2nd
Trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster. Their shared character traits may include: endurance,
slowness in accumulation of energy, fixed rigid opinions, and meticulous planners. Snakes by nature
are intelligent, graceful and wise.
People born in the year of the snake may have the distinction of being discreet, modest, or
industrious--characteristics associated with this intelligent animal; but they may also have other
characteristics.
There are also animals assigned to the month in which you were born (called inner animals), the day
you were born (called true animals), and the hour you were born (called secret animals).
There is also an element assigned to the years, and water accompanies this year of the snake. The
other elements are wood, fire, earth, and metal. The Snake has a fixed element of fire.
2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, and 1929 are the most recent seven years for the snake.
Those born in this year are best matched with those born in years of the Ox, Rooster, and Dragon, but
also get along with most of the other animals, except the Tiger and the Pig.
In ancient times, the Chinese believed that a house in which a snake lived would be free of want.
May 2013 be a Happy New Year!
Chinese Zodiac Tatoo Snake - ©visuallyours - Under CC License. Original & License.
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In the Newssubmitted by Pete Marshall
Florida’s Great Python Hunt
Snake Farm in Vietnam
Disclaimer: News are simply reported and do not necessarily reflect the views of BAARS, the BAARSBoard, or the Newsletter Editor.
Not a BAARS Event:
California Tiger Salamander Workshop 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Watsonville
On April 25, 2013, Pete Trenham, Ph.D. will present a workshop at the Elkhorn Slough NationalEstuarine Research Reserve on the biology and conservation of the California tiger salamander.
More Info and Registration:
http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/training/show_train_detail.php?TRAIN_ID=CaHHLC1
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Spring 2013
Read Across America, Thursday, March 7th, 6 - 8 pmLocation: New Republic School 636 Arcadia Way Salinas, CA 93906. Contact Rhonda Velez at (831)
540-8119 if you are interested in bringing your herps to show to school kids. This is a great
opportunity to educate folks on your special pets!
Summer 2013
BAARS Turns 30!See upcoming newsletters for flashbacks and a mid-summer birthday party announcements.
Email [email protected] with historical stories and photographs for the newsletter!
Reptile Rally, Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Saturday, July 27, 11:00am–3:00pmReptiles: Resilient, remarkable, and resplendent from the tip of their noses to the end of their tails.
The Bay Area Amphibian and Reptile Society (BAARS) will be sharing their amazing array of reptiles.
Come face to face with creatures that have endured the test of time, are scaly, and love to bask in the
sun. Bring the family and slither into an exciting day of learning about snakes, lizards, turtles, and
tortoises. Phone: (510) 881-6747. Website: http://www.haywardrec.org/events.html
More News Soon
Pepperwood Farm Herpetelogical Field TripWatch this space for more information.
Pinnacles Camping and Hiking TripWatch this space for more information.
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A Herpetological Love Poem for Valentine’s Day
Charmed By A Snake CharmerBy Rhonda Velez
Oh! Look at the bright lights!
Can you hear the calliope?
look! Everyone is in costume!
Listen to their happiness and laughter!
intoxicating
beckoning
closer
and closer
moving past the clown on stilts
daring to stare at the bearded lady
mesmerized by the fortune teller
I watched as my classmates play and win
rigged? perhaps
random? no doubt
the heavy tent parts and opens
taking yet, another chance at love
playing again
and again
and have lost
and lost
then dared to play again
and lostbut this time, no cheap consolation trinket
I win the biggest prize of my life
per chance to entice me to play again, later
so after years of avoiding the fair
reluctant to attend once again
this time, not alone
for now, I always have my prize
by my side
avoiding loves many games of chance
steering clear of the darkened tents
determined to step around the obvious
carnies
tattooed losers
before I loose my heart at a wheel
there is a man with snakes
jet black curls
throaty laugh
mischief in his eyes
yes, a confident charmer for sure
draws my prize to himself
to nurture, cherish, protect
and then I fell
and we end each day
hand in hand, surrounded by serpents
our back to the carnivals
facing the sun as it sets into the sea
©jerikap - Original.
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Treasurer’s Report
by Scott Petersen
As we look back over the month of October 2012, we see that our monthly expenses are lower than
the average. This is due to the fact that general meeting room rent, which is due prior to the first, in
the month preceding the month for which we will be using it. Since there will be no general meeting
in November, there was no rent paid in October.
Income for the month was primarily derived from new and renewed memberships, followed by cash
donations. Special thanks go out to Dr. Raj Singh from the Sunnyvale Veterinary Clinic (1036 W. El
Camino Real, Sunnyvale http://www.sunnyvalevet.com/) whose continued support at the Patron level
is always appreciated. The cash donations came primarily from the show donation jar, and from the
donations made for the food served at the general meetings.
As of November 1, 2012, the club’s combined checking and petty cash stand at $2,694 which is a 59%
increase over what the club started 2012 with. For those interested, below is the income/expense
numbers for the last 3 months.
Cumulative
Posting Date: to Date 8/31/2012 9/30/2012 10/31/2012
Expenses $1,206.28 $96.00 $114.24 $33.95
Income: $2,597.92 $100.00 $789.00 $460.00
Cash flow: $1,391.64 $4.00 $674.76 $426.05
Dollar Bill Scorpions - ©orudorumagi11 - Under CC License. Original & License.
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The Scrappy Herpetologist
by Aleks Haecky
With the commercialization of herp keeping, equipment and food items that were once difficult to
obtain are now available at your local pet store. It is awesome that heat emitters are available in
retail stores, that you don’t have to breed your own mice (oh, the stink in my bathroom, even when I
cleaned daily), that you can purchase coconut fiber bedding in quantities smaller than one metric ton,
and prepared foods allow you to go away for a weekend without hiring a pet sitter. (Editor’s note: Pet
sitters, we love you! But this article is about being scrappy! It would be awesome to have an article
on the how-tos and benefits of hiring a professional pet sitter!).
Not everybody is blessed with inclinations towards carpentry, sheet metal wrangling, and electrical
tinkering (though it’s fun to try your hand at it). However, with everything readily available, the trip to
the pet supply store (or the internet shop) is often the first step for new hobbyists, and they quickly
find their bags full and their wallets empty. Let’s be honest: There is a lot of great stuff out there, and
a lot of it is very expensive. Commercial pet equipment suppliers, just like any other seller, want to
make a living, and their advertising wants you to believe that you can’t have a happy animal without
their products. And you know what--sometimes that is true: Buying an aquarium is no more expensive
than making it yourself, and, thanks to this great invention called “silicone,” you can be pretty sure
that what you buy will not leak or break for quite some time.
Other things, you can do without. Or you can do without for a while. Or you can make something that
works just as well and costs a fraction. Or you can simply have more fun doing it yourself.
Below is an outdoor box turtle setup for during the day (it’s not raccoon-proof) that was only a few
dollars. I bought the kiddie pool on sale, grass was left over from someone’s yard project, the pots
were in the old garden shed from the previous owner. I got the food bowl for free. On the left you can
see a cover that I build from scrap wood, and I did buy the chicken wire. The second image shows a
tube you can make to protect your aquarium heater from turtles (and turtles from the heater). It’s a
piece of scrap tube from TAP Plastics, some slots cut, and a few dabs of silicone.
If you have your own scrappy tips, send them to [email protected]!
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Adoptions & Classifieds
Sulcatas Need Homesubmitted by Nancy C. Ferguson
Martha (left)
For adoption to a good home, 1 female sulcata tortoise. 100 lbs, 25 years old, current vet checks,
not suitable for breeding. Contact Nancy at [email protected] for more information and
pictures.
Spike (right)
For adoption to a good home, 1 male sulcata tortoise. 175lbs, 25 years old, current vet checks.
Contact Nancy at [email protected] for more information and pictures.
I am not asking any money for them, but I will only adopt to an appropriate home (proper fencing,housing, space). The two animals can go to separate homes and should not be placed together. I
will do a “home check” and will deliver within the United States.
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Herp of the Month
Herp of the Month at the February General Meeting:
Corn Snakes and Ball Pythons
When you bring an animal, make sure:
● It is in a suitable and secure container.● Your animal is healthy and energetic.● It is not aggressive or very shy.● Supply heat, moist towels, or water if
needed.
● If you want to present (2 minutes), beprepared; practice ahead of time whatyou would like to share; think ofsomething unusual about your animal;be ready to answer questions from theaudience.
The Year in Herps
February: Corn snakes & Ball Pythons
March: Large Lizards: e.g. Iguanas, Tegus, and
Monitors (No, no need to bring your computer)
April: Chameleons & Skinks
May: Box TurtlesJune: Amphibians and Water Turtles
July: Small Lizards: e.g. Geckos, Anoles,
Bearded Dragons
August: Tortoises
September: Pythons & Boids
October: Creepy Crawlies (Arachnids, Insects)
See your herp in the newsletter! Submit a paragraph (or two) and good-quality photograph, drawing,
or comic of your animal to the newsletter editor at [email protected].
Example:
This is Baby. She is a boa constrictor and about7 ft. long now. What’s unusual about her is thatshe belonged to a friend, Charlie Mosher, andcame to me, eventually, some time after hepassed away 14 years ago. I remember himsaying that Baby was 17 years old, which makesher a 31 year old lady! That’s pretty good for aboa! The oldest ones on record seem to havelived around 40 years. She doesn’t move much,and Tina Peak said that maybe she has arthritis.Just think of all the vertebral joints!
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BAARS 2013 Board Members
We have open board positions! Contact a board member if you are interested!
ELECTED OFFICERSPresident - Vacant
Immediate Past and InterimPresident -Scott [email protected]
Vice President-Eric [email protected]
Membership Secretary-Kyna [email protected]
Recording Secretary-Vacant
Treasurer-Scott [email protected]
MEMBERS-AT-LARGEGilbert [email protected]
Tania Tengan
Aria Pleban
Diana H.
APPOINTED OFFICERSNewsletter Editor & Publisher -Aleks [email protected]
Librarian- Tony Velez831-442-3100
Show Coordinator-Joanne [email protected]
Publicity Director- Vacant
Webmaster-Wolfgang Keil
Adoptions Coordinator-Austin [email protected]
NEWSLETTER DUE DATES
February newsletter submission deadline:February 8, 2013 (second Friday)
March newsletter submission deadline:March 8, 2013 (second Friday)
Thank you Joanne Petersen for proofreading.
Send all submissions to:[email protected] or the board mailing l ist
Accepted Content:We love herp-related original articles, trip and show reports,stories about your animals, and original photographs anddrawings. You retain all rights but grant us permission to use,edit, and publish in the newsletter and on our website withattribution.
Accepted Formats:The newsletter editor can open almost anything. Plain text in anemail is great. Attach images to email or provide URL.
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Membership Application
__New Membership __ Renewal Membership __Change of Address
Individual/Family: __1 Year ($25) __2 Years ($50) __ 3 Years ($75) __4 Years ($100)
Special: __Sustaining ($35) __Contributing ($50) __Patron ($100) __ Institutional ($20)
__Check to have your special gift mentioned in the newsletter
NAME:________________________________________________________________
EMAIL: ______________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________________________
What reptiles/amphibians do you own?__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What other herps do you have experience with?____________________________________
How did you learn about BAARS:_______________________________________________
Are you interested in:
__Learning about something in particular
__ Field herping
__Photography
__Participating in shows
__Participating in educational events
BAARS Membership Secretary
c/o Palo Alto Junior Museum
1451 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto CA 94301-3351
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